One-third of the world infected with TB, new efforts needed

Each year about 2 million people die from tuberculosis, a bacterial infection that infects up to an astounding one-third of the world's population. The disease is curable and preventable, but without medicine and education, millions of people will continue to die. Worse, the disease could evolve into a resistant strain that could be incurable.

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LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Tuberculosis (TB) has long been forgotten in the day-to-day consciousness of those who live in industrialized counties with modern healthcare systems. Basic sanitation, nutrition, and adequate healthcare responses have all but eradicated the disease but it is threatening a comeback from the developing corners of the world.

The World Health Organization describes TB as a disease of poverty, with virtually all death from the disease coming from the developed world. Malnourished persons are most at risk of death. With adequate nutrition and inexpensive medicines, the disease can be cured.

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Children, and especially young adults, are most susceptible to the disease and are most likely to die from it. About a third of all people become infected with the disease at some point, but because it remain latent they may not show any symptoms.

The disease is also surging around the world, increasing at the rate of 1 percent per year, at the same time many other diseases are on the decline. The WHO is calling for a renewed fight against the disease which threatens to spread to the developing world.

Antibiotic-resistant strains of TB have also emerged as the disease becomes more prevalent. These resistant strains cannot be effectively cured and people who contract them are far more likely to die, even in the industrialized world.

People who suffer from HIV infection are most likely to die from TB, and it is the number one killer of HIV victims.

Each person infected with TB infects about 10 to 15 others throughout the year. The disease is spread by coughing.

We can win the fight against TB, but the world has largely ignored this disease in favor of more popular, better marketed afflictions of which people are more aware. There is no widespread popular marketing campaign that effectively spreads awareness about TB or the importance of fighting the disease.

The easiest way to treat the disease is through low-cost medications that can be administered via aid agencies and medical staff in regions most affected by the illness. However, funding for these programs remains low leaving millions of infected people without the medication they need to survive.

You can help through the Your Catholic Voice Foundation's BUY A DOSE, GIVE A DOSE program. For just $3.00 you can provide a life-saving dose of medicine for someone in need in the developing world, whom without your aid may not otherwise survive. With an estimated 5 million new, active infections per year, each donation is critical and saves a life.

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Through BUYA  DOSE GIVE A DOSE, YCVF will also give a matching dose of medication, effectively doubling your gift. For as little as $3, you could save two lives.

Please give generously today and support this fight against TB.

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